Oaxaca-The Year After: Musicos

The here and now... and what and why

Complacency is a trap. At least that’s what I was thinking when I up and left the comfort of a Yankee prep school gig, where I taught music, amongst other things, for 28 years. There was also that life long career as a composer, musician and artist.

First, it was a year in St. Thomas, USVI, working as a reporter and shooting photography and then, a year in San Agustin Etla, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Time passed.
More time passed and a year back in the Athens of America followed by a hasty return to Oaxaca where it is all happening.
A couple of years in San Sebastian Etla and now, just down the road in San Pablo Etla. Life is good.

Click on an image to see it larger.
For additional photography please visit my flickr page.
You can find my music on Jango (World & latin - Worldbeat) and at iTunes and most online stores.
¡Soy consciente de todas las tradiciones del Internet!
If you are coming to Oaxaca, please contact me for tours or advice.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Musicos

Haunting. That is the best way to describe the music that we heard in the various villages.

There were some traditional saxes, trumpets and brass, but mostly there were duos with guitar and violin.

The guitar was often almost inaudible, playing one or two chords, while the violin, often scratchy and out of tune, played the same melody over and over.

However, this sound coupled with the steady beat kept by the sonajas was almost trance inducing.
I think I played with this guy.... or maybe it was his cousin. Corona, of course.